496 or 540

[86 CHEVY]

Looking to some opinions, I have 86 chevy full size truck 4 linked with coilovers all the way around, 5.38 gears and 44" tires. It has a stock 454 in it now and I am thinking about building a 496 stroker or buying a 540 block and going that route. The 496 is more in my budget and I'm not sure if its worth the extra money to go to the 540. It will be a pump gas motor I was thinking around 600hp and tq any help would be great.

[Jthomas]

Both the 496 and the 540 have a good rod aspect ratio. And they both are stroker motors

Just on a budget the 496 is a cheaper build, just because you can use your current block. Bore 60 over and put the 4.25 crank in it. The 540 is pricey because you have to get the aftermarket block to get the 4.5 bore. But the 540 is really only worth it if you get a tall deck block. The whole benefit of the 540 (other than cubes) is the long rod stroker motor. You make crazy torque, and with the good rod aspect ratio is can actually handle rpm.


My next motor will be a 540. My current is a 496, I love it.

[J.C.]

540

[Orangecrush]

540

[betterbeaters]

632?? lol 540

[86 CHEVY]

Thanks for the input 632 would be fun lol

[4x4xdodgeman]

most of your power is in the top end not the bottom end. its in the heads and cam, intake.

[bigmud44]

most of your power is in the top end not the bottom end. its in the heads and cam, intake.

x2 have had 468 that would outpower my 540 ! Powers in the top end

[J.C.]

I'd still say 540. You can build a 572 with it someday.

[86 CHEVY]

What heads do you recommend how much lift can and single or dual plane intake

[kracer_18]

700 or bigger cam

[Jthomas]

My old man has a 653 Merlin. That's an .822 cam

[Big Mudder]

I'd still say 540. You can build a 572 with it someday.

Was gonna say if he was going to build the 540 might as well go the bit further to 572. 4.5 inch bore 4.5 inch stroke.  Depending on what kind of heads and internals are in it, it could be anywhere from about 600 to 700hp.

[86 CHEVY]

Thank u for the input